Use both brushes and rollers to paint your home's exterior for best results. (Brynne Shaw/The Plain Dealer)

EXTERIOR PAINTING TIPS: Summer is prime time for painting our homes' exteriors. It's a big job requiring a lot of time and money, so be sure to do it right. Popular Mechanics has these tips:

Latex vs alkyd: There are two basic types of exterior paint: water-based latex and oil-based alkyd. Latex has many good qualities. It cleans up with soap and water, dries quickly, doesn't have a strong odor and is flexible.

Alkyd paint also has pros and cons. Aklyd paints require mineral spirits or paint thinner for cleanup; soap and water won't do the job. This type of paint is durable, stain-resistant, flows smoothly and dries with fewer brush marks, Popular Mechanics says. But be aware that alkyds have a strong smell and dry very slowly.

Paint Prices: "Buy the best paint you can reasonably afford, because cost is an excellent indication of quality," Popular Mechanics says. "Expensive paints contain more pigments than bargain paints, so they produce a thicker, longer-lasting, more protective coating."

Paintbrush or roller: Use both for best results. Use a brush to paint onto narrow surfaces, edges, and smaller areas. Grab a short roller on large and long surfaces such as siding and trim.

Stay in the shade: Sunlight makes fresh paint dry too quickly, blister and flake prematurely. So paint on the shady side of the house and move as the sun moves, Popular Mechanics says.

HOME REPAIR CLASSES: The Home Repair Resource Center is offering its Get to Know Your House: Home How-To Series on Wednesdays from June 1 to July 6.

These classes will teach you how to save time and money, understand how your house works and keep your home in good working order. Each two-hour class, 7-9 p.m., is aimed at homeowners who don't have experience with repairs. Here is the schedule:

June 1: Your Home's Exterior -- roof, foundation, driveway, sidewalks, porch, windows, doors, gutters, downspouts-and how they all are designed to work together.

PLANT SALE: More than 3,000 plants - including perennials, shrubs, annuals and houseplants - will be available at the Cuyahoga County Master Gardeners' Plants in the Park sale. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Selig Park in Independence.

Planted containers gardens will be available for purchase, and Master Gardener volunteers will answer your questions about plants and gardening. The park is located at 6363 Selig Drive.